Sumatera Disaster Management, TNI AD Prepares 100 Emergency Bridges

JAKARTA - The Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army (KSAD) General Maruli Simanjuntak confirmed that the Army deployed almost all its forces to disaster management in Sumatra, with the main focus on reopening access to the region through the construction of emergency bridges.

"TNI AD is involved in almost all activities. From distribution to refugees, service in refugees, to health support," said KSAD General Maruli at a press conference at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base Integrated Post, Jakarta, Friday, December 19.

Maruli said the TNI AD had established more than 40 health posts and operated around 50 field kitchens. The Army was also appointed as the main task force for the construction of emergency bridges in affected areas.

Currently, the TNI AD is preparing 18 Bailey bridges, while the Ministry of Public Works is preparing 14 units. Of these, seven Bailey bridges have been completed, six are still in the installation phase, five units are in the port, and the other three are stalled due to damage to the road access.

For the Armco bridge, Maruli said that around 37 points had been recorded. However, the work was hampered by the need for surveys, limited factory stocks, and distribution, which had to be partly through the sea route.

"If the availability of tools is there, especially Bailey, we estimate that January can be held for about 50 units," he said. The President, continued Maruli, has also ordered the procurement of an additional 50 Bailey bridges to accelerate access recovery.

Overall, the TNI AD targets to build around 100 Bailey and Armco emergency bridges by January, although it is acknowledged that the process takes time due to terrain and logistics.

Maruli also touched on the heavy burden of soldiers in the field. He revealed that three members of the Indonesian Army were killed while on duty. In fact, there are two families of soldiers whose children and wives died due to disasters.

"Our members work day and night, in the rain, with very limited conditions. They also need support," he said.

He asked the media to play a role in raising the morale of victims and officers, and to convey shortcomings directly to the relevant institutions. "This disaster will not be over with mutual crying. This is about working together. Raise the morale of our members," said Maruli.